Where to Stay in Salzburg: The Best Areas and Hotels

There are more than 130 hotels in Salzburg. And while having a lot of options can be a good thing, trying to figure out where to stay in Salzburg can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been there.

Which side of the river should you stay on? Is Altstadt better than Neustadt? Does it really even matter?

After visiting Salzburg multiple times and staying on both sides of the Salzach River, I’ve narrowed down the best areas and hotels to help make choosing where to stay in Salzburg a little easier.

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Jump to:
The Best Areas to Stay in Salzburg
Hotels in Altstadt Salzburg
Hotels in Neustadt
Hotels Near the Salzburg Train Station
Sound of Music Hotels
Where to Stay in Salzburg FAQs

The Best Areas to Stay in Salzburg

If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Salzburg, I’d look for a hotel in these three areas.

Altstadt (Old Town) – This is where you’ll find most of the city’s major sights.

Neustadt – Located on the right side of the Salzach River, it’s known for Mirabell Palace and has more of a neighborhood feel.

Elisabeth-Vorstadt – Surrounds Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, making it the most convenient area if you’re arriving by train or planning day trips.

My recommendation (and where I’d stay again): I’ve stayed on both sides of the Salzach River, and Altstadt and Neustadt have their pros and cons. When I visit Salzburg again, I’d stay in Altstadt. I loved walking around at night after all the daytime tourists left and seeing the old town in (mostly) silence.

If it’s your first time in Salzburg, stay in Altstadt. However, if you plan on doing a lot of day trips, stay in Neustadt. You’ll be closer to the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof.

No matter where you stay, you’ll be walking from one side to the other anyway. (That’s one thing I love about Salzburg: it’s super walkable.)

Staying in Salzburg Old Town (Altstadt)

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When you picture Salzburg, you’re probably thinking of Altstadt or Old Town. Cobblestone streets with wrought iron signs, a domed cathedral and a fortress perched high above the town. It’s quintessential European charm.

One of the best parts of staying in Altstadt Salzburg is that you’ll be within walking distance of Mozart’s Geburtshaus, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg Cathedral, St. Peter’s Abbey and the famous Getreidegasse (the street with all the iron signs). Altstadt is also a pedestrian-only zone.

The one downside, if you can even call it that, is the distance to the train station. It’s about a 20 to 25-minute walk to Altstadt from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof.

The Best Hotels in Altstadt Salzburg

Price key: $ Budget-friendly | $$ Mid-Range | $$$ Luxury | $$$$ Splurge

Hotel Elefant Family Business ($$)

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📍 Nearby: Mozart Geburtshaus (1-minute walk), Salzburg Fortress Funicular (7-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes, but small

If you want to stay in the center of Salzburg Altstadt, Hotel Elefant Family Business is about as central as it gets. The hotel is spread out between two buildings, and guests often describe getting to their rooms as a journey. Between that and the location, I was curious enough to book it for my most recent trip to Salzburg.

While there were about five different steps to get to my room, I really enjoyed staying at Hotel Elefant. The location was fantastic, my room was massive for European standards, and it was super quiet. I share more about my experience in my Hotel Elefant review.

Altstadthotel Weisse Taube ($$)

📍 Nearby: Mozarts Geburtshaus (2-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Altstadthotel Weisse Taube is travel legend Rick Steves’ hotel of choice in Salzburg. Unlike some hotels that fully embrace Old Town charm, the rooms here have a more youthful vibe with bold prints and bright colors. Design choices aside, guests say the rooms are clean and the beds are comfy. If you’re visiting Salzburg during Christmas, Altstadthotel Weisse Taube is also a good option for the Christmas markets, with several of the main markets just a short walk away.

Leonardo Hotel Salzburg City Center ($$)

📍 Nearby: Mozarts Geburtshaus (10-minute walk), Mirabell Palace (20-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Leonardo Hotel Salzburg City Center is located in a quieter part of Altstadt, but still within walking distance of the major sights. If you’re visiting in the summer and worried about air conditioning, this modern hotel will keep you cool. The biggest complaint from guests is how crowded the breakfast room gets. So go early, have a strategy and keep your elbows up.

Staying in Salzburg Neustadt

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Located across the Salzach River from Altstadt is Neustadt. It has more of a neighborhood feel while still being within walking distance of Old Town. We’re talking 10–15 minutes max.

The most popular attraction on this side of the river is Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Neustadt is also more convenient if you’re arriving by train, with many of the hotels about a 10–15 minute walk from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof.

The Best Hotels in Neustadt

Price key: $ Budget-friendly | $$ Mid-Range | $$$ Luxury | $$$$ Splurge

IMLAUER Palais Mirabell ($$)

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📍 Nearby: Mirabell Palace (1-minute walk), Mozarts Geburtshaus (10-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

I stayed at IMLAUER Palais Mirabell in 2024 when it was still Hotel am Mirabellplatz, and I think it has the best location in Salzburg Neustadt. Both of my Sound of Music tours started either down the street or across the street, and I was able to walk over to Mirabell Palace in the early morning to recreate the “Do-Re-Mi” scene without completely embarrassing myself.

As far as the rooms go, most people would probably call the decor dated. But considering the hotel was built in the 17th century as a residence for Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron, I thought it worked. Since my stay in 2024, many of the rooms have been updated with a more modern look and feel.

Hotel IMLAUER Pitter ($$)

📍 Nearby: Mirabell Palace (5-minute walk), Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (10-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Want to be close to the train station but still in a central location? I walked by Hotel IMLAUER Pitter every time I walked to the Hauptbahnhof and thought it was a great location. The hotel is more than 150 years old, but you’d never know it based on the modern rooms. It also has a rooftop bar with views across Salzburg and a historic beer cellar that dates back more than 100 years.

Hotel Stein ($$)

📍 Nearby: Mirabell Palace (8-minute walk), Mozarts Geburtshaus (4-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Hotel Stein is the best of both worlds. This adults-only hotel is right on the Salzach River, which means you could throw a rock out the window and it would land in Altstadt. The hotel dates back to medieval times, but the rooms have a much more modern look after a major renovation in 2018.

Staying Near the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (Train Station)

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Staying near Salzburg Hauptbahnhof may not give you the cobblestone streets and historic charm of Altstadt, but it’s hard to beat the convenience. And compared to Altstadt and Neustadt, hotels near the train station are typically more budget-friendly.

If you’re worried about being too far from Old Town Salzburg, don’t be. You can walk to Altstadt in about 20 minutes.

The Best Hotels Near the Salzburg Train Station

Price key: $ Budget-friendly | $$ Mid-Range | $$$ Luxury | $$$$ Splurge

Cocoon Salzburg ($)

Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu ($$)

📍 Nearby: Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (2-minute walk), Mozarts Geburtshaus (20-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Cocoon Salzburg is a trendy, boutique hotel that couldn’t be closer to the train station if it tried. Each room has a swinging chair, which guests seem to either love or think takes up too much space. And if you’re worried about being too far from Altstadt, it’s only a 20-minute walk.

📍 Nearby: Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (10-minute walk), Mirabell Palace (6-minute walk)
❄️ Air Conditioning: Yes
🛗 Elevator: Yes

Of the many IMLAUER hotels in Salzburg, Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu is the closest to the train station. (Make sure you double-check the name before heading over because travelers frequently check into the wrong IMLAUER hotel.) If you’re a light sleeper, the hotel has soundproof windows so you won’t hear if the hills are alive with the sound of music. However, if you’re super sensitive to noise, you may want to request a room away from the train station side.

Sound of Music Hotels in Salzburg

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If you want the ultimate Sound of Music experience in Salzburg, you’ll want to stay at Schloss Leopoldskron. The former estate of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg played the role of the von Trapp home and many of the exterior shots were filmed here.

Schloss Leopoldskron isn’t in the center of Salzburg, but it’s close enough to walk or bike into Altstadt. In fact, the hotel offers bicycle rentals to its guests.

While Schloss Leopoldskron may be the Sound of Music hotel everyone knows, you can also walk (sleep?) in the cast’s shoes throughout Salzburg.

Christopher Plummer stayed at Hotel Bristol, while Julie Andrews stayed at what is now Hotel Sacher. The actors who played the von Trapp children reportedly stayed at Hotel am Mirabellplatz, now IMLAUER Palais Mirabell.

Where to Stay in Salzburg FAQs

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Still have questions about where to stay in Salzburg? Here are a few things to know before booking your hotel.

Is it better to stay in Altstadt or Neustadt?

I’ve stayed in both Altstadt and Neustadt, and I wouldn’t say one is necessarily better than the other. It all comes down to what you’re going to be doing and what vibe you want.

If you’re visiting Salzburg for the first time, I’d tell you to book a hotel in Altstadt for the Old Town charm and being within walking distance of most major attractions.

But if you’d rather be away from the crowds and you don’t mind a short walk to Altstadt, Neustadt might be better for you.

When’s the best time to visit Salzburg?

I visited Salzburg in August and October, and I had two completely different experiences.

Visiting Salzburg during the summer is exactly what you’d expect when visiting Europe during peak travel season: warm weather (with the occasional rain shower) and lots of tourists. Hotel prices can also be more expensive, but again, it’s summer and that’s typical.

Salzburg in autumn, or shoulder season, had noticeably fewer tourists. I didn’t have to bob and weave around slow walkers in Altstadt, which was nice. And the weather was perfect. I didn’t need a heavy coat or cold weather clothes; jeans and a sweater were just fine.

One thing to know, especially if you travel in mid-to-late October, is to make sure what you want to visit doesn’t close for the winter. For example, Eagle’s Nest and Eisriesenwelt both close from the end of October to April or May.

If I were to plan another trip to Salzburg, I’d definitely travel during the shoulder season.

Where should I stay in Salzburg for the Christmas markets?

If you’re visiting Salzburg for the Christmas markets, I recommend staying in Altstadt. The main Salzburg Christkindlmarkt takes place around Domplatz and Residenzplatz, so staying in Old Town puts you within an easy walk of the market. Altstadthotel Weisse Taube and Hotel Elefant are both good options for the Christmas markets. Salzburg is especially popular during the holiday season, so book your hotel as soon as possible.

What is the Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket and how do you get it?

The Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket gives overnight visitors free access to public transportation throughout Salzburg province, including city buses, regional buses and trains. For example, I used it to ride the train to Werfen for free.

You can get your Guest Mobility Ticket from your hotel or other overnight accommodation. I recommend asking about it before you arrive, since you can also use it to get to your hotel from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof or Salzburg Airport.

The ticket is included with the mandatory mobility fee charged to overnight guests, so you don’t need to purchase it separately.

How many days do you need in Salzburg?

I recommend spending 2–3 days days in Salzburg.

Two days will give you enough time to see all the main attractions, like Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s Birthplace, Mirabell Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace and the The Sound of Music Museum. (Many of these are free with the Salzburg Card.)

If you want to take a day trip to Hallstatt, Berchtesgaden or Werfen, I would add another full day.

Where Will You Stay in Salzburg?

When it comes to choosing where to stay in Salzburg, you really can’t go wrong. The city is relatively compact, and you can walk to most places. The only bad decision you can make is not visiting Salzburg at all. So book your hotel and start planning!

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